STREETE Parish Park in Co Westmeath was home to the tenth Maurice Lawlor Memorial Cup in July (Friday 17th) when Maynooth’s ex-pat hurlers went on tour for a game against local side St Fintan’s.
The game, organised by Mattie Callaghan and his wife Elizabeth, marks the memory of the late Maurice, a Kerryman and proud hurler, who died in action on the field of play in the game ten years ago.
His wife, Áine, presents the trophy and medals each year, and for this anniversary game, her son David lined out in a Kerry jersey in honour of his father.
Monsignor Patrick Earley PP blessed the cup before the action got underway and also read the Hurler’s Prayer before throwing the sliotar in to get the game underway.
One man who had a busy evening was local fireman, Anthony Nea, whose call of duty took him from the game early on but his skills were such that he was back before the end to finish the night on the field.
Hughie Nolan took charge in the middle for what was a memorable game for Longford man Eamon O’Flaherty, finishing the game with three goals and receiving the top scorer prize along with St Fintan’s David O’Hara.
The man of the match awards went to Bernard O’Neill of St Fintan’s and Westmeath’s Damien Kiernan, who had a stormer for the All Counties. Another man to impress was Clare native Dermot Anglin, a brother of Aine Lawlor, and he received the cup on behalf of the victorious All Counties.
A special presentation was made to Fr John Francis Kiernan, who attended to Maurice on the night that he died.
The big match commentary was provided by Brendan Coffey and Martin Gaynor, along with MC Brian Nerney, while Coffey managed to make a brief appearance on the field near the end in a Wicklow jersey. All Counties selector and Galway man, Mick Ward, also entered the fray in the final quarter and both teams received their medals from sponsor Joseph Devine Jnr of Devine’s Pub in nearby Lismacaffrey.
Aine Lawlor made special presentations to Xavier Kiernan and Mary Devine, who were the medics on the night, as well as to Mattie and Liz Callaghan. Aine finished the night in style, by singing a song.
All Counties: Pat Hartnett; Paul Curran, Shane Barry, Sean Furlong; Conor Dempsey, Shane Deveraux, Damien Kiernan; Joe Brennan, Mark Nugent; Paul Moylan, David Lawlor, Dermot Anglin; Mick Ward, Eamon O'Flaherty, Brendan Coffey
St Fintan’s: Tom Reilly; Bernard O'Neill, Mark Smith, Walter Burke; James Keary, Brian McLoughlin, James Brady; David O’Hara, Eddie Campbell; Alan O’Keefe, Willie Browne, John Keary; Patrick Kiernan, Ciaran McLoughlin, Scott Hynes. Sub: Anthony Nea.
